WINDHAM SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT (WSWMD)
BRATTLEBORO, VERMONT
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING
MINUTES OF JUNE 14, 2018
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Michelle Cherrier, Chair, Dummerston; Patrick Moreland, Brattleboro; Lester Dunklee, Dummerston; Cheryl Franklin, Guilford; Lewis Sumner, Halifax; Judy Flower, Jamaica; Shannon Meckle, Newfane; Dan Toomey, Putney; Irvin Stowell, Townshend; Tim Franklin, Vernon; Nancy Meinhard, Wardsboro; Gig Zboray, Whitingham; and Merrill Mundell, Wilmington
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Jan Ameen, Vice Chair, Westminster; Peter Elwell; Brattleboro; David Jones, Brookline; Kevin Stine and Daniel Baliotti, Dover; Sheila Morse, Guilford; Cara Cheyette, Halifax; Andy Coyne, Jamaica; Mike Fitzpatrick, Newfane; James Damato and Robert Matte, Readsboro; Kent Young, Stratton; Emily Vergobbe, Vernon; and Tom Consolino, Wilmington
WSWMD STAFF PRESENT: Robert Spencer, Executive Director; Dale Bessette, Transfer Station and Compost Facility Operator; and Rich Petrie, Transfer Station and Compost Facility Operator
OTHERS PRESENT: Frank Ruffulo, Sky Solar Holdings, Ltd., Jesus Gellago, Gransolar Group, and Morgan Casella.
Ms. Cherrier called the Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
1) Changes and/or Additions to the Agenda: The Board agreed to discuss Agenda item #9, Consider Purchase of Front-end Loader, after Agenda item #6, Financial Report Review.
2) Presentation by Sky Solar Holdings, Ltd on Photovoltaic Array on Landfill: Mr. Ruffulo reported Sky Solar Holdings anticipates the photovoltaic array to be complete and fully operational by July 1. Lease payments to WSWMD, which are paid quarterly in arrears, will begin July 1. The approximate annual lease payment is $102,000. Mr. Spencer noted the potential for additional revenue in the form of renewable energy credits, the amount not yet known.
3) Presentation by Sky Solar Holdings, Ltd Proposed Food Waste Anaerobic Digester: Mr. Ruffulo informed the Board Sky Solar Holdings, which currently leases the methane gas from the landfill is interested in constructing and anaerobic digester. Mr. Spencer, Mr. Morgan, and Mr. Klaski attended a pre-application meeting with the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources this morning in Montpelier to discuss the permitting process. Sky Solar Holdings expects the permit application to be complete by the end of the year. The Board discussed the proposed anaerobic digester, and materials and tonnages needed to make the project financially feasible.
4) Approval of Minutes – May 10, 2018: Motion made, seconded, and carried to approve the Minutes of May 10th.
5) Approval of Check Register – May 2018: Motion made, seconded, and carried to approve the May Check Register.
6) Financial Report Review – May 2018: Mr. Spencer reported WSWMD received notification from Vermont Agency of Natural Resources stating the District does not owe any monies on remaining equipment in the materials recovery facility (MRF) and member towns will not be invoiced for the final MRF closure assessment payment.
Motion made, seconded, and carried WSWMD notify member communities there is no additional MRF closure payment required.
9) Consider Purchase of Front-end Loader: Mr. Spencer distributed and reviewed a loader purchase cost analysis and noted the net cost of $204,000. The Board reviewed and discussed the purchase of a 2017 John Deere 644 loader from Nortrax in Springfield, VT.
Mr. Spencer distributed and reviewed WSWMD Business Plan for Organics Operation. The Board discussed the business plan and possible financing options.
Motion made the District put the loader financing out to bid if the Board approved the purchase a new loader. Motion failed for lack of second.
Motion made, seconded, and carried to approve the purchase of a new John Deere loader, noting the Town of Whitingham will be exempt from any payment on the obligation. There were 1 nay and 2 abstentions.
7) Program Coordinator’s Report: Mr. Spencer reported on WSWMD’s spring hazardous waste collections held June 9th with Mr. Spencer in the Town of Jamaica and Ms. Benoit in the Town of Westminster, noting there were 155 participants from 16 towns; Mr. Spencer complimented Ms. Benoit on the excellent job she did managing Strolling of the Heifers and the 60% diversion rate a was achieved, and year 3 annual SWIP report due July 1st which confirms the District met the required performance measures set forth in Vermont’s Materials Management Plan.
8) Executive Director’s Report: Mr. Spencer reported WSWMD has sold approximately 1,800 cubic yards of compost this year generating $38,000 in revenue. WSWMD is advertising for the open job position of District Clerk and applications are due June 20th. Mr. Spencer informed the Board, that he, Ms. Ameen, and Ms. Cherrier, met with the Town of Westminster’s Selectboard to review services offered by the District and Act 148 mandates. Lastly, Mr. Spencer reported on recent amendments to Act 148 and the Bottle Bill.
10) Committee Reports (if any): Mr. Toomey reported the Policy/Personnel Committee met Tuesday, June 12th to update three job descriptions (Executive Director, Program Coordinator, and District Clerk), and update the Personnel Handbook. The Committee’s next meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 20th at 6:00 pm.
11) Executive Session (if needed): None
12) Other Business as Legally Allowed: None
13) Adjournment: Motion made, seconded and carried to adjourn the meeting:
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm.
Kristen Benoit, Program Coordinator